Who struggled with ‘quiet’ display at Wembley? And which big mistake will Mikel Arteta deeply regret

The lights of Wembley were bright the atmosphere was electric and the stakes could not have been higher as Manchester City faced Arsenal in a Carabao Cup final that carried more than just the promise of silverware it carried pressure expectation and for Arsenal the dream of something historic a possible quadruple that would have placed them among the greatest teams of all time but football has a way of rewriting dreams in the most brutal fashion and on this night it was Manchester City who took control of the story

From the first whistle the match had a tense rhythm both teams cautious aware of the danger the other possessed Arsenal looked organised and disciplined while City moved the ball with their usual patience trying to find spaces that were not easily available and for long periods it felt like a game that could go either way a battle of control and concentration where one mistake could decide everything

But as the game moved into the second half something shifted something that has become familiar when watching a team managed by Pep Guardiola the tempo increased the intensity rose and Manchester City began to stretch Arsenal in ways that were difficult to contain and at the centre of this change was a player who would go on to define the final Nico O’Reilly

O’Reilly had already been involved in the game but it was in a short explosive period that he truly made his mark scoring twice within four minutes both goals coming from intelligent positioning and precise finishing at the far post moments that showed awareness timing and composure and in a final where chances are often limited he took his opportunities with ruthless efficiency turning a tight contest into one that suddenly felt under control for Manchester City

Those two goals did more than just give City the lead they broke Arsenal’s momentum they forced them to chase the game and in doing so they opened up even more space for City to exploit and this is where the difference between the two sides became clear because while Arsenal struggled to respond City grew stronger more confident and more dominant

In terms of individual performances there were several players who stood out for Manchester City not just because of their technical ability but because of their influence on the flow of the game one of the most talked about performances came from Bernardo Silva who once again showed why he is considered one of the most intelligent and hard working players in the team his movement his passing and his ability to control the tempo of the game made him a constant problem for Arsenal and there were moments where his persistence and clever positioning seemed to frustrate the opposition breaking their rhythm and forcing them into mistakes

Silva’s performance could be described as quietly dominant he was not always the player making headlines but he was involved in everything linking play pressing high and ensuring that City maintained control and it is often players like him who make the biggest difference in finals because they provide stability and consistency in moments of pressure

Another player who had a strong impact was Rodri whose presence in midfield gave City balance and control he protected the defence broke up Arsenal attacks and helped recycle possession allowing his team to build pressure and maintain their structure and when a team has a player like Rodri controlling the centre it becomes very difficult for opponents to find space or create sustained attacks

On the defensive side players like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol showed composure and strength dealing with Arsenal’s attacking threats and ensuring that any attempts to come back into the game were quickly stopped their positioning their communication and their ability to read the game were crucial in keeping a clean sheet in such an important match

For Arsenal the story was very different there were moments of promise especially in the first half where they looked capable of competing and even controlling parts of the game but as the match progressed their performance began to fade and some players who are usually reliable struggled to make an impact and this is where questions begin to appear because in big games every player needs to be at their best and even small drops in performance can have big consequences

One of the criticisms that emerged after the match was that certain players were too quiet unable to influence the game in the way that was needed at this level finals require bravery creativity and the ability to take responsibility and when those qualities are missing even for short periods it can allow the opposition to take control

There were also discussions about key decisions made by Mikel Arteta and whether he would look back at certain moments with regret because in matches like this every decision matters from team selection to substitutions to tactical adjustments and when the result does not go your way it is natural to question what could have been done differently

Arteta has built a strong team one that has competed at the highest level and challenged for major honours but this final served as a reminder of how fine the margins are and how difficult it is to convert potential into trophies especially when facing a team as experienced and well organised as Manchester City

The defeat was particularly painful because of what it represented Arsenal’s hopes of a historic quadruple ended in that moment and while they still have other competitions to focus on the psychological impact of such a loss cannot be ignored because it forces players and staff to reflect to analyse and to find a way to respond positively

Back on the Manchester City side the victory was another example of their ability to perform when it matters most despite facing criticism and questions about their form in recent weeks they delivered a performance that reminded everyone of their quality their depth and their winning mentality and for Guardiola it was yet another trophy to add to an already remarkable record further strengthening his legacy as one of the greatest managers in football history

The celebrations at Wembley reflected that sense of achievement players smiling embracing and sharing the moment with fans who had travelled to support them and among those celebrations there was a recognition that this was not just another win but a statement a response to those who had doubted them and a reminder that they remain one of the strongest teams in the game

At the same time the analysis of the match continues because finals like this always leave behind lessons for both teams for Manchester City it reinforces the importance of maintaining their standards and continuing to evolve while for Arsenal it highlights the areas that need improvement if they are to take the next step and turn their ambitions into reality

As the season moves forward both teams will have new challenges new opportunities and new moments to define their journeys but this final will remain an important chapter one that showed the difference between promise and delivery between potential and achievement and between a team still chasing history and a team that continues to create it

And when people look back at this match they will remember the moment when Nico O’Reilly scored twice in quick succession they will remember the control and intelligence of Bernardo Silva they will remember the questions around Arsenal’s performance and Arteta’s decisions and above all they will remember how Manchester City once again found a way to rise to the occasion and remind the football world exactly who they are when everything is on the line